Byron Maxwell Contract: Latest Comments, Rumors Surrounding Seahawks CB

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell is approaching free agency. He is reportedly working on an extension to remain in Seattle but is intrigued by free agency.

Continue for updates.

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Eagles Pursue Maxwell Following Cary Williams Release

Saturday, March 7

According to Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports, the Eagles are "out in front" for Maxwell.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports previously reported that the Eagles would make a big push for Maxwell following the release of Cary Williams.

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Maxwell Changes Agents

Tuesday, March 3

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Maxwell changing agents prior to free agency, via his Facebook page:

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One week before free agency, Seahawks CB Byron Maxwell is making the unusual move of changing agents just before he hits the market. Maxwell informed his now former agent, Jason Chayut, that he planned to hire a new agent in the next week, league sources said Tuesday. It is rare for a player to change agents this close to free agency and two general managers who were made aware of the change the past 48 hours said they didn’t understand why a player would make a move like that now. The timing is peculiar because Maxwell’s former agents spent the past year, and the week at the combine in Indianapolis, gauging their former clients’ value and trying to figure out the best place for him to be. “Why would you do that?” asked one NFL general manager. “It makes navigating the free-agent market confusing.” Under NFLPA bylaws, a player must wait five days to hire a new agent, so Maxwell is not allowed to officially hire a new agent until this weekend. Chayut has a strong reputation in league circles, particularly in working with cornerbacks, having represented players such as Houston’s Jonathan Joseph, Chicago’s Tim Jennings, Buffalo’s Stephen Gilmore and former Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson. Contacted Tuesday, Chayut declined comment.

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Simms: Jets, Bears Should Target Maxwell

Tuesday, March 3

Bleacher Report's Chris Simms discussed players the Bears needed to target in free agency, including Maxwell:

Simms also noted that the Jets needed to target the talented corner: 

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Simms: Falcons, Raiders, Jets Among Best Fits for Maxwell

Thursday, Feb. 26

Simms broke down why the Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders and New York Jets are among the best landing sports for Maxwell in free agency:

On Feb. 19, Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports reported that with Dan Quinn at the helm, the Falcons figure to be contenders to sign Maxwell.  

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Pauline: Eagles Reported Front-Runner for Maxwell

Friday, Feb. 20

Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net followed up on his report regarding Maxwell and the Eagles, saying that additional sources have agreed with the assessment that the cornerback will end up in Philadelphia.

On Feb. 20, Pauline reported that the Eagles are the front-runners for Maxwell. He also reported Maxwell could be given a deal that would pay him $10 million annually.

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Team Stream Now: Weak CB Class in Draft Will Drive Up Price for Maxwell

Monday, Feb. 23

Bleacher Report's Jason Cole discussed how the cornerback prospects of the 2015 NFL draft will impact Maxwell's potential contract:

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Should Seahawks Franchise Maxwell?

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Simms weighed in on whether or not the Seahawks should use the franchise tag on Maxwell:

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Seahawks GM Unsure if Team Will Be Able to Retain Maxwell

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Jayson Jenks of The Seattle Times provided comments from Seahawks general manager John Schneider, who spoke about Maxwell's future:

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Maxwell Discusses Potential Home-Town Discount

Tuesday, Feb. 3

Gregg Bell of The News Tribune talked to Maxwell about his impending free agency and the potential of a discount for the Seahawks:

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But when I asked him in Phoenix last week days before the Super Bowl if he’d consider giving the Seahawks a “hometown discount” — the team also has priorities in giving quarterback Russell Wilson a new deal of perhaps $20 million per year, running back Marshawn Lynch perhaps $10 million or more annually and All-Pro middle linebacker Bobby Wagner some more millions on top of that to extend his rookie deal — Maxwell shook his head from side to side.

"Hopefully it’s not the last game (for the Seahawks). I love it here," he said of the Super Bowl, in which he had five tackles and again played nickel some after Lane broke his arm in the first quarter. "But I’ve got to think of what’s best for my family."

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Asked if he thinks his 2014 season as a starting corner and new nickel back indeed increased his value as a free agent, Maxwell said, "I don’t see how it could hurt."

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Maxwell Willing to Test Free Agency

Thursday, Jan. 29 

Chris Wesseling of NFL.com reports Maxwell is willing to test free agency:

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Asked this week if he's excited to gauge his value in free agency, Maxwell made it clear that he's willing to play for the highest bidder.

"I'm the prettiest girl at the dance right now," Maxwell quipped. "But yeah, it's one of those things I’m excited about it. I would love to be here but ... I'm ready to see what's out there."

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Maxwell Working on Contract Extension with Seahawks

Tuesday, Jan. 27

Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com reports Wednesday that Maxwell is working on a contract extension to stay in Seattle:

General manager John Schneider has indicated that Maxwell will be one of the first orders of business once Super Bowl XLIX ends, via Stephen Cohen of SeattlePI.com:

All-Pro free safety Earl Thomas recognizes Maxwell's value, via Philly.com's Zach Berman:

Daniel Hill of ESPN 710 Seattle alluded to the key interception Maxwell had in the NFC title game that helped the Seahawks eventually come back and win in overtime:

Maxwell moved into a full-time starting role for the first time in his four NFL seasons this year, registering 39 combines tackles, 12 passes defensed, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

The Seahawks thrive in press man-to-man coverage and Cover 3 concepts, and their formula has often relied on physical play on the outside. Listed at 6'1" and 207 pounds (h/t NFL.com), Maxwell has the size to jam opposing receivers and enough recovery speed to close if he's initially beaten.

Continuity is key to success amid the prominence of parity in the NFL, so securing someone in Maxwell who understands Seattle's core defensive concepts is key to the team staying on course for a potential dynasty.

It will be a tricky maneuver for Schneider to pay Maxwell enough and still have enough cap space to retain other key cogs on the roster. Quarterback Russell Wilson will be due a huge payday with his rookie contract expiring in 2016, and the same is true for first-team All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner.

With how often teams pass these days, defensive backs are a vital priority. That should give Maxwell some leverage as he vies for a suitable agreement, while the Seahawks have bigger deals to consider for Wilson and Wagner on the horizon.